Subaqual apparatus for intestinal lavage



Oct. 17, 1961 R. TURLIUC SUBAQUAL APPARATUS FOR INTESTINAL LAVAGE 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 9, 1958 INV EN TOR. W

1961 R. TURLIUC 3,004,537

SUBAQUAL APPARATUS FOR INTESTINAL LAVAGE Filed D60. 9, 1958 2Sheets-Sheet- 2 Fig.2

INVENTOR.

3,004,537 SUBAQUAL APTARATUS FGR INTESTINAL LAVAGE Romulus Turliuc, 17Deinhardsteingasse, Vienna, Austria Filed Dec. 9, 195%, Ser. No. 779,152

8 Claims. (Cl. 128-427) The present invention relates to a subaqualapparatus for intestinal lavage.

The previous apparatus for subaqual lavage were rather inconvenient forthe patients, who were hardly able to move throughout the duration ofthe treatment and had to maintain the same position for half an hour ora longer time. Besides, any careless movement caused dirty wash water todischarge into the bath water; this was disagreeable both to the patientand to the staff. The patient was sitting erect when using the priorapparatus and the weight of his body rested squarely on the wash head,which was inconvenient. The patient was constrained by straps and rubbersupports and was also connected by means of such elements to the washhead so that he could not feel at ease. The intestine tubes used were inmost cases entirely of metal or entirely of rubber, and in the lattercase they were internally stiffened. The former had the disadvantagethat the metal tip was liable to injure the intestine. The rubber tube,on the other hand, swelled and became rough during use. The continualcontraction and slackening of the sphincter caused the adjoining mucousmembrane to chafe on the rough rubber. This was very disagreeable to thepatient particularly toward the end of the bath. The so-called intestinerelief when performed by the prior apparatus involved also the danger ofinfection by a preceding germ carrier.

It is, therefore, one object of the present invention to provide asubaqual apparatus for intestinal lavage which has the advantage ofaffording extreme freedom of movement and convenience to the patient.The lavage is performed while the patient is in a lying, perfectlyrelaxed position, in which only the rear end of the wash head cancontact the bottom of the tub, whereas the buoyancy of the water, whichis particularly strong when the patient is in this position, and theresilient suspension assist in avoiding unpleasant pressure on thepatient. The patient has considerable freedom of movement in the tubduring the treatment; he can stretch out, sit up and even turn to oneside or the other, without any interference. He could even get out ofthe bath, if required, without assistance. During these movements of thepatient the wash head would no longer be sealed to the body of thepatient and dirty wash water would enter the bathtub. To avoid thisdisadvantage in the present apparatus the glass elbow at the top ofthedischarge line is disposed some centimeters below the water level. Ifthe wash head becomes untight the discharge line will exert a suctioneffect due to the head of the water column above the wash head. Thiswill prevent a discharge ofwash water into the bath and will cause theinflowingwater from the bath to flow through the discharge line. Forthis reason the patient can slightly take off and adjust the wash headduring the treatment, which adds further to' his convenience. Theresulting arrangement of the sight glass some centimeters below thewater level is not a disadvantage because a lamp arranged behind itenables the patient to make a sufliciently exact observation of thematter flowing therethrough. The discharge by the patient is facilitatedbecause he need notovercome the large head of the water column in thedischarge line of other apparatus. If this large head is desired inspecial cases the sight glass may be: lifted above the water level bythe extendable tube carrying it to enable a more exact observation ofthe matter discharged, whereas the above-mentioned suction atent 2effect of the discharge line is lost unless the water jet pump disposedin the collecting container is operated.

The coupling incorporated in the discharge line facilitates theapplication of the small and handy wash head to the patient because onlya short length of the discharge hose remains on the wash head ascontrasted with the long hose of the prior apparatus. The extendable androtatable telescopic discharge line is connected to the wash head by thecoupling when the patient having the wash head applied to him is alreadysitting in the tub. v The novel suspension means for the wash headeliminates the carriers which were previously affixed to the rim of thetub and between which the patient was sithug and which in most casesimparted a feeling of constraint. The light-weight front carrying memberof rubber and/or plastic does not disturb during the application andremoval of the wash head. The same applies to the lightweight strapforming the rear carrying member and having a front part of rubber and arear part of flexible plastic. The freedom of movement of the patientrequires obviously a special intestine tube to prevent any injury to thepatient. This tube consists ofa smooth metal part which contacts thesphincter whereas the tip is made of soft rubber so arranged that itsdiameter does not exceed that of the metal tube.

The so-called intestine relief is performed when the water which hasentered the intestine cannot be discharged because of a cramp in thesphincter or other obstructions. In the prior subaqual apparatus forintestinal lavage the germ-containing wash water flowed in this positionof the regulating valve through the same cock which controls also thefreshwater coming from the wash water supply so that this cock wassoiled. This is not possible with the new regulating valve because thesupply and discharge line separate immediately after the wash head andlead to separate cocks of the regulating valve. The two cocks are onlymechanically coupled for joint rotation. In the position intestinerelief the germ-con taining wash water can flow from the intestine onlythrough the open relief cock, to the discharge, which is on a lowerlevel, because the supply cock is closed and the line before the supplycock is filled with water as far as to the T. The discharge is possiblebecause the water which has entered the intestine is under the pressureof the muscles and because the line exerts a siphon action and, finally,as a result of the suction produced by the water jet pump. Additionalsafety means comprise a special return flow valve in the line betweenthe cock and the intestine tube and a small bore which is provided inthe supply cock and through which a small amount of water from the washwater container flows continuously in the position intestine relief toprevent an unintended emptying of the supply hose, which would enablegermcontaining wash water to back up as far as to the supply cock.Finally, the U-shaped sight glass in the relief line should bementioned. The position of this glass above the'relief cock improves theobservation and prevents germs from entering the line in drops from therelief cock, which is always infected. Thus, any danger of infection canbe eliminated by the disinfection of the intestine probe, the connectionpipe carrying it, the T, and the short hoses with the check valve. Twosets of these parts should be available and should be alternatelydisinfected.

With this and other objects in view, which will become apparent in thefollowing detailed description, the present invention will be clearlyunderstood in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective top view of the apparatus for intestinallavage;

P16. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the wash head with an intestine tube;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of the regulating valve with the supply andrelief lines; and

FIG. 5 a perspective view of the intestine tube.

Referring now to the drawings, the apparatus comprises a wash watersupply container 1 with a cover 2, a thermometer 3, and a water gaugeglass 4. From the check glass 5 the hose 6 leads to the top cock 7 ofthe regulating valve 8. This cock controls only the inflowing water. Thelower cock 9 controls the relief line 10. The plugs of both cocks areoperable by means of a common spindle 8, which couples them in such amanner that when the supply cock 7 is open in the position open of theregulating valve the relief cock 9 will be closed and vice versa. In theposition closed of the regulating valve both cocks are closed. In theposition "relief a small bore 11, about 1 in diameter (FIG. 4), in thesupply cock is effective to permit of a slight flow of water into theline toward the check valve 12. The line 6 leads from the supply cock 7through the check valve 12 to the T 14, to which the relief line and thewash head 15 are connected. The relief line 10 leads from said T 14 inthe collecting container 18 and incorporates the relief cock 9 and aU-shaped sight glass 17, which is suitably aflixed to the regulatingvalve 8.

The intestine tube 16 comprises a metal tube, the upper end of which isreduced in diameter. An end piece 16' of soft rubber is pulled over thisend portion and is substantially flush with the full outside diameter ofthe metal tube. The lower end of the intestine tube is connected by ashort rubber sleeve 16" to an elbow 20, which is disposed in the washhead 15 and carried by the connection pipe 22 which is adjustable in thedirection of the longitudinal axis of the wash head. For cleaning, theelbow 20 carrying the intestine tube can easily and simply be removedfrom the wash head 15 by loosening the cap nut 21 and screwing out theconnecting pipe 22. The e1- bow 20 has two supports 20' (FIG. 3) toprevent its rotation in the wash head whereas the connecting pipe isfixed by a cap nut 21 cooperating with a collet 23.

The wash head 15 of the apparatus carries at its rear end two lugs 15',to which the rear carrying member 26 is affixed by means of a pin 25which can be pulled out. The front portion of this carrying member-26consists of rubber to ensure an immediate response to the movements ofthe patient. The rear part 26', which carries a removable suspendedweight 27 of about 2 kg. consists of flexible plastic to reduce itsfriction on the rim of the tub or the roller 29 aifixed to said rim withsuction cups studs 38', 39 which facilitate the manipulation of thecoupling even when it is submerged. The other end of the telescopic tubeassembly is connected by a rubber sleeve 41 to the sight glass 42, whichforms a right angle and is fitted in the bent tube '44 of the receiver18. The tube 44 extends into the receiver and terminates a fewcentimeters over the bottom thereof. The connection between the sightglass and the tube 44 of the receiver 18 is sealed by a rubber sleeve43. The tube 44 of the receiver is adjustable in height. A watertightmatted lamp 47 for illuminating the discharge is attached below theelbow of the sight glass 42.

The receiver 18 must be capable of taking up large quantities of washwater instantaneously because the entire amount of water cannot flow atonce through the constructed discharge of the tub. To increase thesuction effect of the discharge line, the receiver 18 incorporates awater jet pump "50. The jet nozzle of the pump 50 discharges an annularwater jet, which conforms to the discharge pipe 52 of the pump. Thispipe 52 forms at the same time the discharge pipe of the receiver 18 anddischarges into the discharge of the tub. The intense water jet producesa suction effect and has also the mechanical function of preventing anyclogging. A vacuum gauge 54 connected to the receiver 18 enables a readycheck of the vacuum, which may amount to as much as 50 cm. water column,and its adjustment by throttling the supply of water to regulate thesuction efiect of the discharge line as desired.

While I have disclosed one embodiment of the present invention, it is tobeunderstood that this embodiment is given by example only and not in alimiting sense, the scope of the present invention being determined bythe objects and the claims.

I claim:

' '1. A subaqual apparatus for intestinal lavage, which comprises, incombination, a wash head adapted to be submerged in a bath tub, meansfor supplying water to said wash head, an intestine tube for connectingsaid wash head to the intestine of a person in said tub, a pivoted armadapted to be supported to extend above said tub, a front carryingmember attached to said wash head and suspended from said arm, a strapconnected to said wash head and adapted to be movably supported by therear rim of said tub and carrying weights for tensioning said strap,which weights are disposed outside said tub when said strap is thussupported, and a discharge line including a telescopic tube assembly, aglass elbow con- 28. A pivoted arm 30 aflixed to the wall is disposedover the tub and carries a depending coil spring 31 which is slidable onthe arm 30 and is connected at its lower end by means of atension-regulating chain 32 and a hook 33 to the front carrying member34 of the wash head 15 to apply tension thereto. This front carryingmember 34 is easily removable by loosening a nut 35 (FIG. 3) andconsists of two rubber cords 34', the lower ends of which are heldtogether at the wash head 15 by a metal part 34" whereas the upper endscarry the plastic member 34 to be suspended from the hook 33. a

The adjustable part of the discharge line consists of two or more metaltubes 39, 40, which are telescopically arranged and relativelyrotatable. The extension of the tubes 39, 40 is limited by means of asmall chain 45. Because the water which surrounds the tubes 39, 40 isunder a higher pressure than that which prevails in the tubes, thelatter need not ensure a particularly tight seal; any leak can onlycause a small amount of bath water to enter the tubes 39, 40. Thisdischarge line is connected by means of a readily detachable bayonetjoint coupling 38 to the short flexible hose 37 attached to the washhead nected to one end of said tube assembly, and a coupling detachablyconnecting the other end of said tube assembly to said wash head, saidtube assembly comprising two relatively rotatable tubes, whereby saidwash head is adapted to be suspended with freedom. of rotation and ofmovement in the longitudinal direction of said tub and said dischargeline is adapted to follow such rotation and movement of said wash head.I

2. The apparatus as set forth inclaim 1, in which said front carryingmember is readily detachably affixed to the front end of said wash headand which comprises suspension means connecting said front carryingmember to said arm, said suspension means comprising a chain having ahook detachably connected to said front carrying member and a coilspring connecting said chain to said pivoted arm, and said chain'beingvariable in length for regulation of tension.

3. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, in which said strap isdetachably connected to said wash head and comprises a front portion ofrubber and a rear portion of flexible plastic of low friction.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, in which said wash head isformed with two eye lugs and said strap is formed at its front end witha loop connected to said wash head by a pin extending through said loopand said eye lugs. g

5. The apparatus as set forthin claim. 1, which com prises a rolleradapted to be aifixed to said rear rim of said tub and to support saidstrap and guide it around said rim.

6. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, which comprises an elbowhaving two arms, one of which carries said intestine tube, said elbowbeing slidably mounted in said wash head for movement in the directionof its other arm, two supports holding said elbow against rotation insaid wash head, a connecting pipe screw-connected to said other arm ofsaid elbow, and a collet and cap nut connecting said connecting pipe tosaid wash head and permitting of an adjustment of said connecting pipein its axial direction relative to said Wash head.

7. In a subaqual apparatus for intestinal lavage, which comprises a washhead, a supply line and a relief line, the improvement which comprises aregulating valve comprising two cocks, one of which is disposed in saidsupply line and the other in said relief line, and means formechanically coupling said two cocks to open selectively one of themwhen the other is closed, said cock in said supply line having a bleederbore which ensures that the discharge line will remain filled with waterwhen said cock in the supply line is closed and said cock in the reliefline is opened, whereby a backflow of water from said wash head intosaid supply line is prevented, and said supply and said relief linesbeing joined only a short distance from said wash head.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7, in which said relief lineincorporates a U-shaped sight glass arranged downstream of and abovesaid cock in said relief line to prevent a backflow of water in saidrelief line.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,588,032 Klaiber June 8, 1926 1,628,849 Klaiber Mar. 17, 1927 1,813,608Brosch July 7, 1931 2,024,967 Dierker Dec. 17, 1935 2,044,912 MillerJune 23, 1936 2,087,780 Powell July 20, 1937 2,148,541 Dier ker Feb. 28,1939 2,313,805 Crawford Mar. 16, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS 203,551Switzerland June 16, 1939 1,014,491 France June 18, 1952

